8 Years In An Estranged Marriage

I'd been married to my lawyer husband for eight years. In all that time, he never once acknowledged me as his wife in public. He wouldn't even let our daughter call him "Dad."

Again and again, he missed out on her childhood because of his childhood sweetheart. Even when she hurt our daughter, he still forgave her.

I was worn out and empty. So I decided to leave. I took our daughter and vanished from his world.

But he refused the divorce. He started searching for us like a madman, turning the whole world upside down.

Only this time, neither my daughter nor I will be looking back.

"Thank you for all your guidance over the years, Sam. I'll always remember it."

I handed over my resignation letter.

Sam Maulner, my supervisor, took it, glanced down, then looked up at me, stunned. "You're quitting?"

I nodded, my expression calm. "I'm changing jobs. I don't want to be a legal assistant anymore. And… my baby's father is abroad. I'm going to find him."

Sam was silent for a beat, then blurted out, "I thought your baby's father was dead…"

He caught himself instantly, an awkward laugh slipping out. "Sorry, that was a slip."

Then his face softened, a reluctant look rising to the surface. "It's a shame. You're so good at what you do. Why not stay?"

I shook my head and gave her a faint smile.

Truth was, my baby's father might as well be dead. And no matter how capable I was, I was still just someone's assistant.

After a few more polite exchanges, he agreed to the resignation, and I began handing over my work to my colleagues.

In the break room, I saw Nate with his childhood sweetheart, Selena. They were speaking softly, intimately.

Nate was the founder of this law firm. He was my boss. He was also my daughter's father.

Eight years ago, I joined the firm fresh out of school and became his assistant. At a company banquet, we drank too much, ended up spending the night together. I got pregnant.

He married me because of that, but it was a secret marriage.

He never liked me. And because of that, he never liked our daughter either. He didn't allow her to call him "Dad."

Selena, on the other hand, had always been special. They were childhood friends, deeply bonded.

The two of them sat there, practically fused together—her hand looped through his arm, her body leaning softly into his.

He looked down at her and smiled gently. From where I stood, it looked like he was about to kiss her on the forehead.

They were so bold, so unrestrained—doing this in the office, as if no one else existed.

I couldn't help myself. I walked over. Softly, I called his name. "Nate…"

He looked up, his gaze cold and questioning. "Is there something you need, Christine?"

His tone was formal, distant, as if reminding me that I was just his assistant.

I pushed